Fan Magazines (essay)

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Title:	Fan Magazines
Creator:	Duane W. Rimel
Date(s):	Summer 1937
Medium:	Print
Fandom:	Science Fiction, Weird Fiction
Topic:	Fanzines, amateur press associations
External Links:	Hosted online. Fantasmagoria #1 pp 4-6.
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Fan Magazines was a 1937 article by Duane W. Rimel on the subject of fanzines. From 1936 to 1937 there was a huge proliferation of science fiction zines that sprang up during what Jack Speer called the First Transition or First Interregnum. The prozines were in decline, leading to a shift in fan interest from pro fiction to fandom itself. (See The Greater Plan Season.)

The Fantasy Amateur Press Association, founded by Donald A. Wollheim and John B. Michel sent out its first mailing in August of 1937. According to Fancyclopedia, they were inspired by the APAs used by the Lovecraft circle, of which Rimel was a part.

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During the last year or two an immense number of science-fiction and weird fan magazines have appeared. Some are made up entirley of articles and discussions; others are a blend of fiction and verse. Some are well printed; others poorly printed, and a few are mimeographed. The subject matter is generally good quality.

But where will the rage end? The list now reaches amazing lengths. For example: Fantasy, Tesseract (science fiction zine), Science-Fantasy Correspondent, Phantagraph, Fanciful Tales, Unusal Stories, Supramundane Stories, Fantascience Digest, and Fantasmagoria. Marvel Tales might be added to the list, although it is on the verge of newsstand circulation. There are even more.

Sooner or later some of these sheets will fade and die---perhaps prematurely. Few fans who read both weird and science-fiction---and even the science-fiction fan alone---will dare to subscribe to all those sheets which form his central interest. And I doubt if thereare enough fans running loose to make up a private clientele of sufficient numbers to support such publications beyond the first or second issue.

Several fan publications have passed away. The Fantasy Fan lived longer than do most of them. Fantasy has the best record to fate, and recent specimens indicate even more improvement in size and quality. Its circulation probably equals or surpasses that of any rival publication, although The Phantagraph has increased its circulation by assimiliation with the National Amateur Press Association and the United Amateur Press Association. I have often wondered why some sort of league couldn't be organized by the various fan editors, whereby they could all work together for a common cause, as do the editors, printers and publishers in the N.A.P.A. and U.A.P.A. Their central idea is cooperation; not opposition. These fraternities have officers, annual conventions, and manuscript bureaus, which place copy in appropriate journals. Annual dues are extremely reasonable, and the money goes principally to support the mailing bureau and the official organ published by each Association. The mailing bureau sends a copy of each paper to all members---writers, printers, publishers and editors. Mature critical aid is a regular feature in both Fraternities. Printed credentials and recommendation bya member are necessary for newcomers. There is much good mimeograph work done in the NAPA and UAPA.

On the whole, I think the science-fiction and weird fiction fan world can take a lesson from such organizations. If some sort of unifiction isn't started soon, there may be more dying fan magazines. Nearly all are too good to fade away like the leaves of Autumn; there is a genuine need for outlets in these fields. Yet surely, if something is not accomplished, only the fittest willsurvive. Perhapsthis is best, after all, but I fancy the newer editors and publishers of fan journals will not agree. Who is going to lead the way?